WASHINGTON, D.C.– Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) today voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual legislation that authorizes the military. This year’s NDAA includes legislation from Guthrie to make the award-winning energy conservation program at Fort Knox permanent.

Guthrie worked with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Paul, the Departments of Defense and Interior, both House and Senate Armed Services committees, as well as the House Natural Resources and Senate Energy and Natural Resources committees, to include legislation in the final NDAA billto allow Fort Knox to continue producing natural gas. This program gives Fort Knox the ability to be energy independent and go off the grid when needed, but also provides significant cost savings for the Army during normal operations.

“I was proud to introduce legislation earlier this year to allow Fort Knox to continue its energy program, and I was proud to vote for this provision in NDAA today,” said Guthrie. “After an ice storm in 2009 that crippled Fort Knox’s energy operations, Fort Knox revolutionized their energy program and currently has 26 natural gas wells that can be used for power. This has allowed Fort Knox to become energy independent when needed, preparing the base in the event of another emergency. With the help of Leader McConnell and Senator Paul, Secretary Zinke, the Army, the Armed Forces Committees, and the Natural Resources Committees, we were able to get this done.”

In addition to the provision related to Fort Knox, the FY2019 NDAA provides $26 million in military construction funding for a Digital Air/Ground Integration Range at Fort Knox, gives a much needed pay raise to our servicemen and women, increases additional funding to support military readiness, and invests in missile defense and nuclear deterrents in Europe to counter Russia and the Middle East to support our friend and ally Israel.

“Our military must be ready to face any number of threats around the world,” said Guthrie. “This year’s NDAA improves our military readiness and supports our troops. We ask our servicemen and women to put their lives on the line for us, and we must make sure they have the best care we can provide for them. I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law.”

The House passed their original version of NDAA in May. After the Senate passed an amended version, members of the House and Senate convened a Conference Committee. Now that the House has passed the Conference Committee’s final bill, it must be passed by the Senate before being signed into law by President Trump.